In Nigeria, when I was walking
with my colleagues, a friend of my stepped onto a pile of cowdung and slipped
and fell on it. Sometimes, I think our life is like that- we are going along
and suddenly find ourselves in a mess. It is not expected. We think we are
all in control and suddenly something comes up. It could be a misunderstanding
in a family- arguing, bitterness and we wonder how we got there. Maybe someone
is in the centre of this kind of a mess. It is like an addiction that is fun at
the beginning and suddenly you find that you can’t get out of it. Or a
financial issue- it starts off as small loans and then one day you realise that
you are in a huge mess. If you are struggling with this mess, the Bible has
many words of encouragement.
The book of Revelation was
written for our encouragement and not to scare us. Many early church
leaders were killed for their faith. John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, was
stranded in the island of Patmos. Christians were really in a hard season and
wondering if there was a God and someone to help them. This is where the book
of Revelation comes to tell us that he is coming back. Jesus shows up
personally through a revelation. Rev 1:1- “The revelation from Jesus
Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place”.
Revelation means unveiling of Jesus. The New Testament gives a picture
of Jesus- in his humility, serving people, compassionate and loving. But in
Revelation we see another side of Jesus. Jesus in his glory! We get a bigger
picture of Jesus. He is a conquering warrior. When we see who Jesus is in
his glory, we can let him take control. Jesus wins and he wins all the time! So
through faith we can share in his victory.
We also need encouragement – so
we need to remember that Jesus wins.
1. Recognise
the real Jesus- If look at the news there is total chaos. If Jesus is
not at the centre of our lives, we too can end up in chaos. We could
succeed but won’t be lasting success. Rev 1:4-5 “Grace and peace to you from
him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before
his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn
from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Of all the names
that we read of Jesus in the Bible, this is the coolest to me- he is the
ruler of the kings of the earth. This is significant because in the olden days,
kings dominated every sector of society. They controlled media, arts, commerce,
etc. When Jesus comes along in Revelation, he is called the ruler of the
kings of the earth. Jesus is saying, I am Large and in-charge.
Peter and Paul
died for their faith and even John is exiled in the island of Patmos. But when
we are in the darkest hour, we need to remember that God is still in-charge.
When you look beyond your immediate circumstances, you will see that Jesus is
bigger.
2. Share
in Jesus’ victory- Jesus redeems our mistakes. Jesus gave his life so that
things could be put right. In Rev 1:5 “To him who loves us and has
freed us from our sins by his blood”. Our responsibility is to receive his
grace and his mercy. We believe that God forgives. But has he forgiven me? It
took me a long time to realise that God has forgiven me completely. If you put
your trust in him, he forgives. Jesus was more than enough to pay for our
sins. So we are here to share in his victory. Rev 1:6 “and has
made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory
and power forever and ever! Amen.” This phrase kingdom of priests comes
from the Old Testament when the Israelites are brought out of Egypt and did not
know their identity. So God gives them identity- that they are a kingdom of
priests. We are the same. You are not what people say you are. You are who God says you are. He says we are
loved, we are a kingdom of priests, equipped to serve and follow him. Rev 2:17
“To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also
give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the
one who receives it.” In Pergamum- white stone represents someone who won a
victory. Athletes in that day would get a white stone that signifies that they
are winners. We don’t have to wait to receive that stone because we are
already victors.
3. Look
forward to Jesus’ return- we all go through rough times but we need to
endure. I was pushed around at work and not given what I deserved for 19 years,
but in 6 years I was promoted more than what I would have earned in those 19
years. We need to hang on to our hope in Christ, no matter what the
difficulty in front of us. Look beyond the junk. Rev 1:7 “Look,
he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him,even those who pierced
him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen.”
We will live with God forever. When he first came, he came as a baby in a
manger, in meekness. But when he returns he will be the conquering king, the
Lord of lords, seen by everyone, a judge, bringing peace to the world. Jesus
wins and we share in his victory.
Your life is marked by your love
for God and love for people. At the end of your life this is what counts. It is
not more complex than this. Look at the people He has placed in your life and
start valuing them. We need to start forgiving and understanding one
another. Love God and Love others. Let’s pray.
No comments:
Post a Comment